Are your helmet and ear defenders compatible?
Compatible head and hearing protection means more than being able to fit ear defenders to a safety helmet. Products need to perform correctly when worn together to protect wearers against hearing damage.
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The BSIF ‘Just Because It Fits’ campaign calls attention to the need to ensure compatibility of hearing protection. The campaign highlights that whilst safety helmets often have standard attachment points capable of fitting many different styles of ear defenders, this does not mean they will offer the right level of protection. Each combination must be tested and certified to ensure performance.
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Ear defenders create a seal around the ears to attenuate noise. Sound is forced to travel through the cup, causing it to lose energy and become quieter. To create and maintain the seal, products are designed to exert a specific amount of force which is referred to as ‘headband force’. This applies to all types of ear defenders, including helmet mounted versions.
European standard EN 352-3 sets out requirements for ear defenders attached to head or face protection devices. Ear defenders are tested in combination with helmets they are designed to be used with to assess the performance of the products working together. The combination is also subjected to simulated wear and retested, assessing change in headband force, to ensure performance is maintained throughout use.
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Incompatible untested combination of products
Combining a safety helmet with helmet mounted ear defenders that are untested means the level of hearing protection offered is unknown. Even if the products can be fitted together, the force exerted by the combination has not been verified therefore the attenuation and the protection of the wearer cannot be assured.
Incompatible products can offer a significantly lower headband force which reduces protection against harmful noise. The headband force can also be too high, causing discomfort and potentially overprotecting the wearer.
Without testing to assess change in headband force after simulated wear, the ear defenders can become loose over time, again reducing attenuation and leaving the wearer at risk of hearing damage.
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Certified compatibility
Certified compatible products are designed, tested and certified for use together. Although some ear defenders are tested once with a helmet, certified compatible products are monitored to make sure the intended performance level is maintained.
When ear defenders and helmets are certified as a compatible combination, an independent third party monitors certification. Any changes to the products or production process are captured and the Notified Body advises additional testing or assessments necessary to verify performance. This ensures that products continue to perform at the same level or, if performance is altered, that product information is kept up to date.
Check product certification or user information to make sure products are compatible. Ear defender certificates and instruction leaflets provide details of which helmets are approved as compatible combinations.
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Testing is required to make sure that hearing protection performs at the correct level when fitted to a particular safety helmet. Certified compatibility ensures that the combination continues to perform at the intended level, beyond the initial test.
Do not assume that hearing protection is working just because it fits; check to make sure helmets and ear defenders are truly compatible.
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Business Manager
4 个月I am Sandra from Hoater. We are manufacturer that produces professional equipment for working at heights&PPE for 14 years. Hope you give a chance to introduce our company. Thank you!
Projects at Retired and Consultant Health and Safety
4 个月Looks compact, slimline and comfortable?
Director at Eave | Neuroscience PhD | Passionate about preventing diseases and accidents
4 个月They could be compatible and still not be doing the job as expected ??♂? , the only way to know is through fit-testing ??